Means for joining sink to drainboard



Jan. 7, 1958 KATZ 2,818,579

MEANS FOR JOINING SINK To DRAINBOARD Filed July 25, 1954 ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent MEANS FOR JOINING SINK T DRAINBOARD Louis Katz, Oak Park, 111., assignor to Elkay Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application July 23, 1954, Serial No. 445,241

2 Claims. (Cl. 4-187) This invention relates to a sink and drainboard structure and more particularly it relates to an improved means for joining the overlapping rim of a sink to the surrounding drainboard or top.

There have been many structures on the market in an effort to provide an effective water and particle proof seal between the overlapping edge of a sink and the surrounding drainboard. Although some of these structures have been successful in performing this function, they have only done so by employing expensive and complex means which, of course, detracts from the saleability of the item; In some prior structures, I have also found that the means provided for accomplishing this intended purpose has the tendency to become disengaged, thereby breaking the seal between the parts.

My invention overcomes these objections. The structure of the present invention consists primarily of three pieces; namely, a stud secured to the bottom of the sink edge, a flange having a downturned leg and a bolt adapted to be received in the stud to draw the flange against the bottom of the drainboard and against the side of the sink. I have also provided the sink with a biting edge to obtain a more effective seal.

A general object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a structure capable of providing an effective seal between the overlapping rim of a sink and the surrounding drainboard.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for securing the sink to the drainboard which are few in number, simple and inexpensive to construct and which can be readily installed.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of securing means which give a positive pressure against the sink wall to prevent loosening or disassembly of the parts.

This invention contains additional novel features which make it an inexpensive and practical structure. These and other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter appear, and for purposes of illustration, but not limitation, preferred embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the flange forming a part of this invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of my improved securing means before the parts are drawn together; and

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of my improved securing means after the sink is drawn against the drainboard to give an effective seal.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the reference numeral generally designates a sink of the usual type of metal construction. It may be of any convenient shape, proportion and dimension and includes the usual upright side wall 12, curved portion 14 and terminating in an outwardly flared rim 16 having a slightly downturned biting edge 18.

The rim 16 and edge 18 of the sink 10 overlay or overlap a conventional drainboard which is generally designated as 20. The drainboard 20 is preferably formed ice of metal which is top surfaced with linoleum, Formica or other suitable surfacing materials 22. Of course, the drainboard may be constructed out of other materials without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Secured, as by welding or other suitable means to the bottom rim 16' of the sink are a plurality of studs 24 having internal threads 26. The number of studs 24 to be disposed about the bottom of the rim 16 may vary according to the dimensions of the sink as well as the material being used.

A number of brackets 28, corresponding in number and location of the studs 24, are preferably joined by any means known in the art, to the bottom of the drainboard 20. The brackets 28' include a downward depending wall 30 which terminate in a base portion 32 which is pointed in a direction away from the sink 10. Of course, if a drainboard of a dilferent construction, i. e., such as a top of plywood or veneer covered with linoleum, etc. is used wherever the overall thickness would be equal to the overall thickness of the bracket 28, the brackets would not be necessary.

In order to help secure the sink 10 to the drainboard 20, I have provided a flange 34 comprising a base plate 36 and channel ribs 38a and 38b which give additional strength and rigidity to the flange. One end of the flange has a leg 40 which is preferably downturned about 45 to less than from the plane of the base plate 36 of the flange 34. of resiliency to permit bending as described hereinafter. The flange 34 and leg 40 are preferably constructed or stamped from one piece of metal. The base plate 38 is also provided with an opening 42 substantially midway thereof which is adapted to receive a bolt 44.

The sink 10 is drawn against the drainboard 20 to form a water and particle proof seal in the following manner. The bolt 44 is inserted into the opening 42 of the flange 34 and then aligned with the stud 24 so that the threads of the bolt are received and mated with the female threads 26 of the stud. The bolt is then screwed into the stud which draws the base plate 36 against the base wall 32 of the bracket 28. At the same time, the leg 40 of the flange is at an angle to the side wall 12 of the sink 10 (Figure 2) and is forced thereagainst as the bolt is tightened until the leg 40 is compressed and wedged against the side wall 12 of the sink 10 which results in a positive pressure fit. This vise-like or pull-down action tightly draws the edge 18 of the sink into the material 22 of the drainboard resulting in a water and particle proof seal. Additionally, the wedging of the leg 40 of the flange 34 against the sink 10' eliminates any possibility of the flange assembly from being disassembled or put out of alignment.

It is evident that many advantages are inherent in the structure of the drainboard clamp. A biting, gripping action is insured because the longitudinal axes of the flange 34 and the down-turned edge 18 of the sink converge at a point forward and mutually central of the application points of the clamping action. The angularity of the downturned leg 40' of the flange 34 insures a biting lock into the inside of the side wall 12 of the sink. In addition, this action not only slightly deforms the sink wall creating a mounting detent, but it also applies a lateral force and downward force to the bolt 44 further locking its threaded engagement with the mounting stud. The ribs 38a, 38b along the edge of the flange render it sufficiently strong to perform its function, and yet be susceptible of manufacture inexpensively.

It is obvious that I have shown new and novel securing means of structure to provide a water and particle proof seal between the overlapping edge of a sink and drainboard. My novel securing means permits the use The leg 40 must have some degree 3 of positive pressure which insures proper alignment of parts at all times and prevents their disengagement.

Although I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention, Lam fully aware that modifications are possible. My invention, therefore, isv to be limited only by the spirit of the appended claims as equivalents, obviously, can be substituted within the skill of the mechanic Without departing from the principles of the. invention.

I claim:

1 A sink installation comprising a drain surface having an opening therein to receive a sink, a sink inserted into said opening having an outwardly extending horizontal rim with a downturned peripheral edge; a J-shaped bracket having a base, a main leg and a short leg, said J-shaped bracket being placed beneath said drainboard with its base flush with the opening and perpendicular with the drainboard, the legs extending horizontally away from the opening; a plurality of female threaded members secured in spaced relation at a mid-portion in the underside of the sink flange; a clamping flange having a rib reinforced body portion and an end bent at an acute angle, the body portion having a central opening; and a bolt passing through the clamping member with the bent end abutting the sink wall and the bend pointing downwardly, the other free end of the clamp body abutting the base of the J-shaped bracket whereby tightening the bolt jammingly engages the bent end of the clamp with the sink Wall and simultaneously impresses the downturned peripheral edge of the sink rim into the drainboard top thereby eflecting a water-tight seal.

2. A sink installation comprising a drain surface having an opening therein to receive a sink, a sink inserted into said opening having an outwardly extending horizontal rim with a downturned peripheral edge; a J- shaped mounting bracket having a base, a main leg and a second leg, said legs being parallel and mutually perpendicular with the base, said mounting bracket being placed beneath said drainboard with its base flush with the opening and perpendicular with the drainboard, the legs extending horizontally away from the opening; a plurality of female threaded members secured in spaced relation at a mid-portion in the underside of the sink flange; a clamping flange having a rib reinforced body portion and an end bent at an acute angle, the body portion having a central opening; and a bolt passing through the clamping member with the bent end abutting the sink wall and the bend pointing downwardly, the other free end of the clamp body abutting the base of the J-shaped bracket whereby tightening the bolt jammingly engages the bent end of the clamp with the sink Wall and simultaneously impresses the downturned peripheral edge of the sink rim into the drainboard top thereby effecting a water-tight seal.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,582,463 Skinner Jan. 15, 1952 2,584,581 Harris Feb. 5, 1952 2,627,609 Drain Feb. 10, 1953 

